An Educational Dilemma

[Gaucho]

This was sent to me the other day and I thought I'd pass it along. Pardon me if you've heard it already.

A first grade teacher explains to her class that she is a liberal democrat. She asks her students to raise their hands is they are liberal democrats, too. Not rally knowing what a liberal democrat is, but wanting to be like their teacher, the student's hands explode in the air like fleshy fireworks. There is, however, once exception. A girl named Lucy doesn't put up her hand. The teacher asks her why, out of all the students, she has decided to be different.

"Because I'm not a liberal democrat," Lucy answers.

Then, asks the teacher, what are you?

"Why, I'm a proud, conservative republican," boasts the little girl.

The teacher, a little perturbed and her face slightly red, asks Lucy why she is a conservative republican.

"Well, I was brought up to trust in myself instead of relying on an intrusive government to care for me and do all my thinking. My dad and mom are conservative republicans and I am a conservative republican, too."

The teacher smiles and calmly points out, "That's no reason. What if your mom and dad were both morons? What would you be then?"

"Then, I'd be a liberal democrat."

Now, the reason I bring this up (other than the fact that I thought it was pretty funny) is not to bash democrats or point up the level of creeping liberalism in our schools. The other night, I was asked to help a third-grader with her homework assignment and the assignment was to describe the difference between the Democratic and Republican parties.

This turned out to be a very difficult assignment for two reasons. First, I didn't want to prejudice or influence the child with my political leanings. Second, trying to explain the differences in philosophy between the two parties in a way that an eight year old can grasp is pretty tricky.

So, I wanted to throw it out to the board and get a response. How would you describe the basic philosophies of the Democratic and Republican parties to a third-grader, objectively and without prejudice towards or against either side?

And this is not just for us locals. I'd be very interested in how the board members from other countries might handle this, as well.

 

[Jade]

Interesting thread...

Gaucho,

That is a really tough question, not b/c the answer is difficult to come up with, but b/c the answer is difficult for MOST parents to DEAL with.
It takes a lot of inner strength to instill your morals, values, beliefs in your child (which often, they may not have for many years during teenage years and early twenties... so you have to deal with that too!) but also, to be objective, and let them develop some of their own ideas and vaules, etc. and to think on their own.

If they end up where you are, you can be happy, but if they have a slightly different path, they will know how they got there, and parents should listen to what they have to say.
It is true that the older we get, the more set in our ways we are. That to me is ridiculous... just b/c you are older and have been here longer, doesn't make you right!
I know 20 year olds that have been through a lot more experiences that a lot of 40 year olds. SURE, age DOES play a factor, but so much more is important as well.
If people could age, and still stay open minded, that would change SO much (in my humble opinion).

So, say the kid does end up not being of the same religion/philosophy, political affiliation, etc. as the parent. The child didn't conform, they had free thought .. on no! Well, who are we to know what is right? (Of course this could turn into another topic entirely but... for know I won't go into that... eg: I KNOW the kkk is wrong, etc. )

So, being that children are SO easily brainwashed and basically are often ref. to as "sponges," it is not fair to them to make them absorb all of your beliefs, "just because."

HTH!

(Gaucho, hope you didn't feel that was directed at YOu and YOUR kids or anything.. just trying to put things in an easy perspective for typing quickly!)

 

[CreamyLady]

I remember coming home one day when I was 18, happy as heck to be voting in my first election, to find out my dad had "thoughtfully" filled out my sample ballot for me.

One upon a time there was a profound difference, philosophically, between the parties. As I understood it, the Republicans represented money, conservative values, and individual responsibility and freedom.

The Democrats represented a more active government, a more collective approach -- we are our brother's keeper; a progressive viewpoint and rigorous defense of the more inconvenient amendments; and social reform.

Now I'm not sure. I think the main difference is that one party is represented by an elephant and the other a donkey, and for the life of me I find it hard to tell which.

 

[Gaucho]

Thanks, Jade for your response. I guess my underlying concern with this (and my reason for posting it) is that everything we hear or learn these days seems to come with a slant. Nothing is ever offered at face value anymore; everyone has an agenda to promote or a spin to place. No one is willing to let you make up your own mind about something without trying to guide you towards an answer or decision that favors their position.

Politics is no different. We tend to define ourselves by the terms "liberal", "conservative", "democrat", "republican", "independent", and so on. But what do these terms really mean in actual use? And aren't they different from person to person? And how do we allow a developing person (in this case a third-grader) to determine for themselves what slant they want to take and why?

So, I guess my question remains: If you were to try, how would you describe the underlying philosophies of the two major political parties in this country to a third-grader (or I could stretch a point and say to anyone new to America) without being prejudicial towards one side or the other? I tried to do this the other night and believe me, it wasn't easy. Any takers?

 

[Gaucho]

I remember coming home one day when I was 18, happy as heck to be voting in my first election, to find out my dad had "thoughtfully" filled out my sample ballot for me.

One upon a time there was a profound difference, philosophically, between the parties. As I understood it, the Republicans represented money, conservative values, and individual responsibility and freedom.

The Democrats represented a more active government, a more collective approach -- we are our brother's keeper; a progressive viewpoint and rigorous defense of the more inconvenient amendments; and social reform.

Now I'm not sure. I think the main difference is that one party is represented by an elephant and the other a donkey, and for the life of me I find it hard to tell which.

Thanks, Creamy. Several years ago, I purchased a set of coffee mugs that show the the symbols for each party basically fucking each other in a variety of positions. You haven't lived until you've seen an elephant and a donkey in a 69.

And, for what it's worth, I agree with your loose definitions of what the two parties represent. The next part gets tricky, though. How do you present that to a third-grader (a reasonably smart one - not a genius, but no slouch, either) in a way that they could understand and in turn present to their teacher and class in a sentence or two?

 

[CreamyLady]

Well, we'll try again:

Mrs. Speyer (my third grade teacher, standing in for all of them), Republicans are for money and people taking care of themselves and the government butting out.

Democrats are for everyone taking care of everyone else, spending money to help people, and making sure everyone's rights are protected.

That's using the old definitions, of course. I guess now I could say, Mrs. Speyer, both are full of shit -- my daddy and mommy say so. I don't know how many years in detention that would get me.

 

[Gaucho]

Well, we'll try again:

Mrs. Speyer (my third grade teacher, standing in for all of them), Republicans are for money and people taking care of themselves and the government butting out.

Democrats are for everyone taking care of everyone else, spending money to help people, and making sure everyone's rights are protected.

That's using the old definitions, of course. I guess now I could say, Mrs. Speyer, both are full of shit -- my daddy and mommy say so. I don't know how many years in detention that would get me.

Thanks again, Creamy. The best I could come up with was this:

Democrats want a strong government to help people.
Republicans want people to be more independent.

And then I had to carefully explain just what "independent" meant.

BTW - Something tells me that if you told your teacher that the republicans were full of shit today, you might just get extra credit.

 

[CreamyLady]

Mrs. Speyer? I don't think so. I'd still be washing blackboards (I'm 47) if I'd said that to her. STAUNCH conservative type.

Actually, I think your definitions were good, and it's never too early to learn the definition of independence. "Question authority" is another concept that should be taught early.

Call me retro, but I'd rather pitch fastballs to the kids, knowing that most kids will try for them -- all that raw brainpower. Nothing is sadder than a classroom full of kids with eyes glazing over, listening to a teacher explain basic concepts in words of one syllable. Again, and again, and again . . .

 

[Jade]

Thanks, Jade for your response. I guess my underlying
So, I guess my question remains: If you were to try, how would you describe the underlying philosophies of the two major political parties in this country to a third-grader (or I could stretch a point and say to anyone new to America) without being prejudicial towards one side or the other? I tried to do this the other night and believe me, it wasn't easy. Any takers?

Gaucho,

You are welcome.
I am sorry but I felt I answered that question already, unless you want a specific straight out, word for word answer. I am not sure if I can be objective enough the way I feel right now. Like I said, it IS a challenge... but if that is what you are asking, I will try....

You are right, all people are going to say things different ways. Just b/c one considers themself to be repub or democ, doesn't mean they share every single view, but there are still specific issues and concerns that are on the platform for each affiliation, whether they like it or not, and candidates are expected to stand by those issues regardless. So tell this third grader the truth.
Explain that in general, republicans tend to favor businesses, middle class, and prefer less government involvement. They typically do not support abortion except in cases of rape/incest, want less gun control (or, are not pushing for more anyway), not okay to be gay, (mainly b/c of bible), and more of them support the death penalty than democrats.
THEN, explain that democrats are interested in a national healthcare intitiative, welfare reform of a different kind (rep have one answer and dems have another), pro-choice, more gov. involvment, tend to have more women constit.s, want to do more about domestic violence (again, where the gov.t interference is concerned), believe in okay to be gay, more gun control, and more of them are opposed to the death penalty.
FINALLY, explain that just b/c someone says they are a democrat, doesn't nec. mean they are all about abortion and just b/c someone claims to be a republican, doesn't mean they hate gays; just b/c someone is a woman, doesn't mean she is a democrat, and just b/c someone supports the death penalty, doesn't mean he is a republican.

HTH!
Phew!